By: Roxie Graham-Marski Posted at: 03/21/2013 07:07 AM PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed into law a measure that increases the daily allowance South Dakota lawmakers get to cover the cost of lodging, meals and other expenses during the annual legislative sessions.

The bill increases the current expense payment of $110 a day to $123 a day, with changes in the future to be tied to Internal Revenue Service guidelines.

The measure does not change the $6,000 annual salary paid to members of the Legislature.

Lawmakers who supported the increase in the daily expense payment have said it is needed because the payment has not been raised in 13 years.

Opponents have argued that lawmakers should not increase the payment in the middle of their current term.